100 Years ago, 30 young men gathered with Professor Royale to start the third Fraternity at Clarkson College of Technology, Lambda Iota. Not long after its founding the fraternity would find a home within a large Victorian house like no other. That house would become known by generations of brothers and locals alike, as "The Big White House on Elm Street.
The nature of how this house was purchased would set the tone for the next 100 years of the fraternity's presence at Clarkson College, now Clarkson University. Bill Johnson, a Clarkson student in 1922, was told by a Potsdam lawyer's daughter that the house at 30 Elm, formerly owned by a local bootlegger, needed to be sold. Bill offered $10,000 to the bank without a down payment on the premise that the property needed a good deal of work. This offer was refused, and Bill had to inform his brothers at the first house meeting that fall that he was not successful in purchasing the property. It just so happened that one of the members of the fraternity by the name of Burbank, cut and cared for the president of the bank's lawn that summer. A few weeks later, the bank president reached out to Burbank, requesting to speak with Bill Johnson. The president informed Bill that the bank would accept his $10,000 offer, without a down payment.
A college kid had just managed to purchase a huge Victorian house for an organization just a few years old, through networking!
From that moment on, generations of young men would find themselves involved in situations and responsibilities because of their involvement in Lambda Iota, and later, Delta Upsilon. Those experiences and the bonds they made with one another would shape who they would become and be attributed to many as primary drivers of their lifelong successes.
We find ourselves today looking back on the proud traditions of our past as we celebrate those successes of the last 100 years, and ahead to the future, with plans to continue the rich legacy of the "Sons of Greek LI" through the thriving Clarkson Chapter of Delta Upsilon.
Support Levels
Where Your Dollars Will Be Going: This year at Clarkson University will be the basis of a centennial fundraising focus, to commemorate the founding of Lambda Iota in October 1919. The all-inclusive weekend "Standard" registration will be:
For a brother inducted, since recolonization in 2014, and/or a guest at $100.00 each. For a brother inducted before 2009 registration will be $191.90 (and Recognition at the Founder's level) and $100 per each guest
Founders Level: A contribution by any brother of $191.90 for registration signifying recognition of 1919, the year the Lambda Iota started that will also recognize him as a founder for the event.
Alternatively, the registration fee for a brother and 1 guest will be waived for a commitment made to either the Parliament or Centurion level
Parliament Level: A pledge of $1919 in celebration of the fraternities establishment in 1919 at Clarkson.
Centurion Level: A contribution of $610 to highlight '61 , the year that Lambda Iota became part of the International fraternity, Delta Upsilon.
All contributions above the "standard" cost of registration will receive special recognition during the centennial celebration. Each contribution level is meant to highlight key turning points in the fraternity's history, moments that like today that are positioning the brotherhood for further decades of continued success. The purpose of the fundraising will be divided in these 4 ways:
Alumni Recognition- The Alumni Corp will be dedicating the first-floor bedroom of the chapter house to distinguished alumni.
DU leadership training- A portion of the funds raised will be put towards helping to send members to DU International's leadership events. The undergraduate body has put great importance on these events since renewal of the chapter's charter, and they have done wonders in building the future leadership within the house. These efforts are leaving a great impact with DU International, and there is no better example than the recent recognition the undergraduates when the Clarkson chapter was a sweepstake finalist at the Leadership Institute in Scottsdale Arizona, the highest honor given to a Delta Upsilon fraternity.
Community Benefit — A portion of the funds will be donated to the Potsdam Hospital, in keeping with the tradition of our fraternity helping the community beyond the Clarkson campus .